Article on job market

[Kodemaster]

I wrote this in Summer 2001, but it still holds true.
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Times are Tough for Graphic Designers, Creative Professionals
by Jeni Rizio

When a graphic design major graduated Magna release Laude in December 1999, dreams of well–paying jobs at dot-coms filled her head. Newspaper articles about special bonuses and foozball tables at companies desperate for creative folks filled stands across the country.

"Two months at the max," thought Jeannette Rizio, of Rome, NY "is all that it will take. I'll have a job by February for sure."

Fast forward to April 2000. Rizio still hasn't found work, so she decides to try a different area of the country. She flies down to St. Petersburg, FL, in hot pursuit of the many opportunities promised by articles in special sections of the newspapers. "Never mind the foozball tables, I just wanted a job!" says Rizio about her search. She stays with a relative for a week and then finds a resting spot at a St. Petersburg convent, where she helps out the nuns in return for their hospitality. Three weeks go by and she comes up empty-handed. She takes the next flight home.

Over the next few months, she takes various freelance projects for experience. Although she wanted a permanent position with benefits and stability, she took what she could find. But like most entry-level graphic designers, work was hard to find. Most companies want somebody with three to five years experience. "But how do you get the experience if nobody wants to give it to you?" asked Ms. Rizio. "I went to so many interviews, sent so many resumes out, but all I hear is 'inexperienced' or now 'overqualified'. It's like it's a sin to have a bachelor's degree or something."

Summer 2001 arrived and she found a temporary job as a public relations assistant in a local school system. The job was supposed to turn permanent, but the organization ended up letting both of the temporary workers go. It's now August 24th and she's been searching for a month. "Times are tough. All you hear about now are layoffs of 1000 people or more. Featured employers of the past are now becoming features of layoff stories. There are more telemarketing jobs out there, but nothing for us creative folks. At least people are admitting it now."